Africa-Press – Zambia. Members of the Zambian Defence Force, from the Zambia Army (Special Forces) and the Zambia Air Force (ZAF), along with their Malawian counterparts have successfully compleled Basic Airborne Course conducted by the Malawi Defence Force’s 5 Para Battalion in Salima.
This comprehensive course was divided into two (02) distinct phases; the Ground Training Phase, spanning Five (05) weeks and the Jumping Phase, which served as the concluding segment.
During the Ground Training Phase, participants underwent rigorous physical exercises meticulously designed to mentally and physically prepare them for efficient airborne operations.
This phase included intensive mountain training, route marches carrying 30kg sand sacks and grueling 40km route march with a parachute, among other challenging activities.
In the final segment, the Jump week participants engaged in actual parachute jumps from an aircraft at an altitude of 1,250ft, encompassing both administrative jumps and combat jumps with full combat gear.
The course included both Commissioned and non-Commissioned Officers who actively participated in the intensive Six (06) week training programme to qualify as Airborne Paratroopers and earn the esteemed Maroon beret and a wing.
Airborne or parachute training was aimed at equipping the volunteers with essential skills required to operate a parachute accurately and be tactically inserted into a designated combat zone.
Zambia Army Director General Training Branch, Brigadier General John Banda was in Malawi to witness the graduation.
He was accompanied by headquarters, 3 Special Forces Group Deputy Commander, Col Moses Shapwaya and Zambia Air Force’s Director of Air Defence, Col A Santana.
Speaking on behalf of the Zambian Defence Force at the closing ceremony, Brig Gen Banda thanked the Malawian Defence Force for the continued support rendered in training to the Zambian paratroopers.
Brig Gen Banda said the training is an actualisation of the Zambia – Malawi Joint Permanent Committee on Defence and Security (IPCDS) resolutions by which the two Defence Forces have resolved by embracing student exchange programmes and joint training at different levels.
Brig Gen Banda added that the course is in line with Command’s vision of having a highly professional force through responsive training.
The ceremony was graced by Brig Gen Cleveland Kachala, Chief of Research and Development, Malawi Defence Force Joint headquarters and has since congratulated all participants on the successful completion of the course.
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